Angelo Gaja is probably one of the greatest names in Italian winemaking. Born in 1940, he took over the family vineyard in 1961 in the hilly Langhe region of the Piedmont which can trace its roots back to 1859. He now manages approximately 100 hectares of wines and does not buy in any grapes. Gaja was instrumental in raising the international profile of fine Piedmontese wines, notably Barbarescos and Barolos, with his distinctive use of new vinification techniques and ageing methods, at odds with regional practices at the time: choosing the best parcels, reducing yields, and using new French oak casks instead of Yugoslavian oak barrels. His best Barbaresco parcels now produce some of the finest wines in Italy (Sori Tildin, Sori San Lorenzo, and Costa Russi). He was also the first winegrower to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, as well as Sauvignon Blanc instead of Nebbiolo, contrary to the advice of his peers.

An intense ruby red colour. The nose has pronounced notes and black fruits and white truffle. On the palate, it is full-bodied, opulent and complex. This excellent wine is produced by Angelo Gaja, a star in Piedmont. The vineyard is spread over 12 ha, with south-west facing vines at an altitude of 300m and soils of marl, clay and limestone. The wine is macerated then fermented for three weeks, before being raised for one year in oak barrels. It is then aged for a further 18 months in “botti grandi”, traditional, large oak barrels.